Summary

  • Listen to live commentary of Down v Donegal with icon at top of page

  • Down 1-12 Donegal 2-25 (Res)

Live Reporting

  1. What the experts think

    Down v Donegal (13:00 BST)

    Anyone for some predictions?

    Here's what our experts think ahead of the Ulster Championship opener.

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  2. TV-ready

    Down v Donegal (13:00 BST)

    The smart suits are on as presenter Mark Sidebottom and our team of TV pundits bring us live coverage from Newry.

    Championship action is back.

    You love to see it.

    Mark Sidebottom and our TV team

    Mark Sidebottom and our TV team

  3. What's the form guide?

    Down v Donegal (13:00 BST)

    Both teams go into today's contest having maintained their existing status in the condensed and regionalised Football League albeit not in entirely convincing circumstances.

    After becoming a tad irritated with the constant reminders of their shock Ulster Final defeat by Cavan last November, Donegal produced an encouraging start to the league with a merited two-point win in Omagh but then conceded four goals at home against Monaghan and a second successive fortunate draw followed in Armagh before Dublin earned a 1-18 to 1-14 Division One semi-final victory that was a lot more conclusive than the scoreline suggested.

    Whatever about the last few weeks, the big question surrounding Donegal is whether there are any lingering scars from the Ulster Final defeat which came on top on failing to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals over the previous two years despite winning the Ulster title.

    However, Down may have psychological issues of their own after throwing away a 10-point lead against Cavan in last year's Ulster semi-final.

    Their Division Two campaign then began with heavy defeats by Mayo and Meath before a scratchy dead rubber win in Westmeath was followed by them coming good to defeat Laois in a relegation play-off.

  4. Let battle commence

    Down v Donegal (13:00 BST)

    So only seven months after wee Mickey Graham - with folder in hand - was jumping for joy around the Athletic Grounds, it's back to Ulster Football Championship action with a bit of a sun on our back thankfully.

    It's about five weeks later than a usual Ulster Championship start but we'll take it after the long Covid winter and spring.

    However, the lost weeks of the campaign mean that it's once again a sudden death football championship with defeat meaning an instant exit.

    Pairc Esler today will house 500 odd lucky Down fans, who as recent weeks have shown, will have the lung power to generate quite a bit of noise if the Mournemen threaten an upset today.

    Of course we're live on BBC Two Northern Ireland from 12:30 BST with all the build-up for the 13:00 throw-in as well as our coverage from 12:45 on BBC Foyle and BBC sounds.

    Enjoy the ride.

    Cavan manager Mickey GrahamBBC Sport

    Cavan manager Mickey Graham